I want to thank everyone who read and reposted yesterday's piece, Anatomy of an Unsafe Abortion. Sadly, when abortion is expensive, even when legal, people take advantage of the system. After all, there are doctors performing plastic surgery with no training with devastating results, so it should come as no surprise that this happens with abortion. …
Continue reading "Imagine if all the money spent fighting about abortion…"
I was in clinic when I heard the overhead STAT page to the emergency room. As I sprinted down the stairs, I ran through the possible scenarios. I wasn’t on call, so the day to day gynecologic emergencies weren’t my purview. I hadn’t operated on anyone in the past few weeks, so unlikely to be …
Restrictive diets, the most common being the low oxalate diet, are widely reported in the lay press and on-line for vulvodynia (a chronic pain condition of the vulva). In one study, 41% of women with chronic vulvar pain reported trying a low-oxalate diet. The only problem? The low oxalate diet doesn't work. How this diet …
Continue reading "The low oxalate diet and vulvodynia: how a case report becomes snake oil"
There is one down side of weight loss - my breast have gone from DD to C. And yes, they were magnificent, but a DD would look out-of-place on my now size 8 frame (at least that's what I tell myself). I find my smaller, less "dense" breasts a little easier to examine. Doing my monthly …
Continue reading "Fibrocystic breast disease and caffeine: medical folklore or fact?"
Groupon was recently offering laser treatment of toenail fungal infections for $199. Is this a deal (in some clinics treatment can be $600 to $1000) or stealing your money for a therapy unlikely to work? Fungal infection of the toenail (onychomycosis) is a difficult to treat condition. The infection causes discolored, bumpy, ugly toe nails …
Continue reading "Deal or steal? Groupon for laser therapy treatment of toenail fungus"
You've just finished (or are perhaps still involved) with the consumption of calorie laden holiday treats and are now wishing that you didn't eat that second third slice of pecan pie, never mind God knows how many Christmas cookies. While some might pause to reflect on waistlines or thighs, your main concern is your vagina. Is …
Continue reading "Will I get a yeast infection if I eat too much sugar?"
If there's a whiff of a story about vaccine safety or controversy, expect the major media outlets to be on it like buzzards on carrion. Michele Bachmann spouts anti-vaccine crap and it's a headline. Everywhere. Rick Perry back peddles over his HPV vaccine policy in Texas and it's discussed for days. The war cry of …
Continue reading "The mainstream media perpetuates HPV vaccine mythology"
The human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine is mired in controversy, or at least it is in the United States where there is a fearful undercurrent about sex and sexuality. (HPV is the virus that causes genital warts and cervical, vaginal, anal, and many head and neck cancers). When the HPV vaccine became available the religious right …
Continue reading "HPV vaccine does not increase risky sexual behavior (new study)"
The President threw his support behind Kathleen Sebelius and her decision not to allow Plan B (emergency contraception, also known as the morning after pill) to be sold over-the-counter to adolescents 16 and younger. (Currently anyone 17 or older can buy Plan B). He stated the following: “The reason Kathleen made this decision is that …
Continue reading "Why Obama is wrong about Plan B and why it matters"
1. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Aspirin are available over-the-counter (OTC) both highly lethal when taken in over dose. One bottle is all it takes. No age limit or mental health screen is required before purchasing either. 2. Plan B is most effective the sooner you take it. Reducing barriers to getting it (i.e. calling a doctor, asking …
Continue reading "10 reasons why Plan B should be OTC for all ages"
Dr. Jen Gunter 